Published: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6:47 p.m.

The region's Transportation Advisory Committee voted in favor of asking the N.C. Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on a major road in Wrightsville Beach.

During their meeting Wednesday night, committee members said they want transportation officials to reduce Salisbury Street from a 45-miles-per-hour zone to a 35-miles-per-hour zone.

Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen representative Bill Sisson said the reduction was necessary to better control traffic flow on the island.

"It's an attempt to rationalize traffic flow," he said, adding it also would increase safety among bicyclists on the road.

DOT officials conducted a speed study of the drawbridge leading into Wrightsville Beach and recommended that the bridge's speed limit be dropped from 45 mph to 35 mph.

They told Wrightsville Beach officials the change could only be made if Salisbury's speed limit was addressed as well.

Sisson said Wrightsville Beach police have a hard time enforcing speed limits on the island because the limits change so frequently.

By reducing Salisbury's limit, which would mirror the speed limit on Causeway Drive, motorists will not need to consistently change driving speeds, Sisson said.

Committee member and New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield said he was concerned that reducing the speed would only result in more traffic backups during the island's peak season.

Sisson said that would not be a problem as motorists in the summer do not maintain a 45-mph speed due to the existing congestion there.

"The average speed is between 36 and 38 mph," Sisson said.

During Wednesday's meeting, committee members also unanimously voted to request DOT officials conduct a speed study of Eastwood Road, Wrightsville Avenue and Causeway Drive from the intersection of Pavilion Drive and Eastwood Road to Keel Street.

Current speed limits on those roads range from 35 to 45 mph, committee members said.

In passing that resolution, members said they support any changes the DOT recommends as a result of the study. Members did not, however, suggest any new speed limits.

<p>The region's Transportation Advisory Committee voted in favor of asking the N.C. Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on a major road in Wrightsville Beach.</p><p>During their meeting Wednesday night, committee members said they want transportation officials to reduce Salisbury Street from a 45-miles-per-hour zone to a 35-miles-per-hour zone.</p><p>Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen representative Bill Sisson said the reduction was necessary to better control traffic flow on the island.</p><p>"It's an attempt to rationalize traffic flow," he said, adding it also would increase safety among bicyclists on the road.</p><p>DOT officials conducted a speed study of the drawbridge leading into Wrightsville Beach and recommended that the bridge's speed limit be dropped from 45 mph to 35 mph.</p><p>They told Wrightsville Beach officials the change could only be made if Salisbury's speed limit was addressed as well.</p><p>Sisson said Wrightsville Beach police have a hard time enforcing speed limits on the island because the limits change so frequently.</p><p>By reducing Salisbury's limit, which would mirror the speed limit on Causeway Drive, motorists will not need to consistently change driving speeds, Sisson said.</p><p>Committee member and New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield said he was concerned that reducing the speed would only result in more traffic backups during the island's peak season.</p><p>Sisson said that would not be a problem as motorists in the summer do not maintain a 45-mph speed due to the existing congestion there.</p><p>"The average speed is between 36 and 38 mph," Sisson said.</p><p>During Wednesday's meeting, committee members also unanimously voted to request DOT officials conduct a speed study of Eastwood Road, Wrightsville Avenue and Causeway Drive from the intersection of Pavilion Drive and Eastwood Road to Keel Street.</p><p>Current speed limits on those roads range from 35 to 45 mph, committee members said.</p><p>In passing that resolution, members said they support any changes the DOT recommends as a result of the study. Members did not, however, suggest any new speed limits.</p><p><i></p><p>Caitlin Dineen: 343-2339</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @CaitlinDineen</i></p>